May 1 – Hollywood stars and Wrexham AFC owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have bought a minority stake in the Liga MX side Club Necaxa, as the duo add a second club to their football portfolio.
They join a roster of celebrity minority stakeholders, including actor Eva Longoria, Houston Astros pitcher Justin Verlander, model Kate Upton, and NFL wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr.
Liga MX is the second most-watched football league in the US, closely following the Premier League in terms of viewing figures. That puts it ahead of the MLS and Bundesliga.
However, Wrexham, who next season will play in England’s third-tier League 1, are the most-watched football club on US television.
The details of RR McReynolds Company’s involvement with Necaxa remain unclear, but speculation is they will introduce a made-for-tv initiatives similar to those that have elevated Welsh club Wrexham to a global entertainment product via the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ TV series.
That could include a similar documentary series, pending any rights issues with Club Necaxa’s broadcast partners, targeted initially at the Hispanic market in the US.
With a valuation that has increased tenfold since RR McReynolds’ investment in 2020, the Welsh club are an encouraging example of positive involvement of celebrity figures, which Necaxa will be hoping to replicate.
Necaxa finished in mid-table of the Liga MX Clausura (the second half of the Mexico’s 2023/24 club season), after a 5-2 home defeat to Monterrey condemned them to ninth place but still in the Final Series play-offs.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1732298723labto1732298723ofdlr1732298723owedi1732298723sni@g1732298723niwe.1732298723yrrah1732298723